Sunday, June 7, 1998 Last modified at 1:32 a.m. on Sunday, June 7, 1998

A Lawman Leaves Us

IN HIS ROLE as sheriff, "SONNY" KEESEE was an enduring - and, to many Lubbock County residents, an endearing - figure among local officials.

He often found himself caught up in controversy of one sort or another, and yet managed to surmount them by being willing to admit mistakes when he made them, and by projecting a folksy attitude that people liked.

His longevity in office testified to the support and loyalty that the man commanded. Mr. Keesee moved into the sheriff's chair in 1980, the first Republican in the county ever elected to the job. A strong base of political backing got him re-elected four times.

One of Mr. Keesee's most effective anti-crime actions was his organizing a corps of reserve volunteer deputies. Their presence helped reduce rural burglaries.

Not in the best of health in recent years, "Sonny" - born Delwin Lee Keesee - died Friday. He was a friendly, familiar presence, and he will be missed.